Betty Lou Richey

Betty Lou (Vance) Richey of Stratford was born on March 26, 1933 at the Boone County Hospital to David Lincoln and Sarah (Stockman) Vance. She went to be with her Lord on February 21,2025 at the age of 91 .

Betty Lou was born weighing 3lbs and 2ozs. There was no NICU at that time. She was kept very warm and given a mixture of sugar, water, and whiskey through an eye dropper to help blood flow. She was welcomed home by her big brother James (Jim) who was 14 years older.

Betty went to elementary school at the Cutting country school located near Brushy Creek. Later they moved outside of Stratford by the Des Moines River. She attended Stratford high school and graduated in 1952. During the summer detasseling corn with her parents she met her future husband.

Lyle Richey was the foreman of the detasseling crew. They started down the long row of corn and he disappeared. Later he was found sleeping under a tree.

Later in a Jewell restaurant he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. The crowd in the restaurant began to clap and cheer. They were married September 4, 1952 by Rev Heck at the United Brethren Church parsonage in Lehigh. Lyle left the parsonage singing "I Wish I Was Single Again". Three children were born to this union. Holly Lou, Tyla Jene, and April Raye.

Their life together never had a dull moment. Betty was always open to hosting dinners with family and friends. She led many bible studies in her home, at church and care centers. Betty and Lyle liked to get together with friends and play monopoly, aggravation, and dominos.

During the Stratford Celebrations Betty would dress up with Lyle for various parts in the skits that were performed. She has played many characters over the years She enjoyed the good times with the historical society. She also accompanied Lyle to the Johnny Carson show during the Stratford Fat Off Days celebration.

Betty loved going to garage sales. We always knew she would come home and let us know all the things she bought for a quarter! Lyle and Betty wintered in Arizona and Florida. Bluegrass music was a special passion they shared and followed the bluegrass circuit. They also loved going to Branson and the Clay County fair.

Betty and Lyle enjoyed having the grandchildren around. They spent many nights staying with grandma and grandpa. The kids remember eating grilled cheese and ice cream. Grandpa would rile the kids up by playing the "Mad Bull" and bucking them off on the couch or playing "Whamo" which involved throwing pillows at each other. Betty has written several family books from her childhood up to time spent with great grandchildren.

Betty and Lyle lived on a farm west of Stratford for many years. Betty was a homemaker. Eventually they moved into town and Lyle started Richey Motors Dealership. In 2017 Betty and Lyle moved into Athens Woods Estates apartments. Lyle passed in 2019. They were married for 67 years.

In her later years she spent her time working for the Lord by coordinating special numbers at church, teaching Sunday School, and helping with church activities. Betty also lead devotions at the apartments before lunch, hosted ladies aid, and enjoyed Friday night game nights. She also enjoyed hitting a garage sale or two when she could. On Tuesdays some of the great grandkids would visit. She would have a gallon size bag of popcorn for each one. Betty took her popcorn making very seriously! Along with her chocolate peanut butter balls.

Betty loved her Christmas tree. It was up all year She enjoyed decorating it for every holiday. As the day approached the appropriate totes had to be hauled out to change the theme of the tree.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Lyle Gene, parents Dave and Sarah, brother Jim, sister-in-law Harriett (Bjernson) Vance, Nieces Sue Vance, Mary (Vance) Ignacio, Connie (Vance) Shadle and her husband Doug Shadle, nephews Jimmy Vance, David Howard Vance and many in laws.

Betty is survived by her children Holly (Leo) Lundberg, Tyla (Kim) Jensen of Stratford. April (Will) Stewart Harcourt. Eight Grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren Amy Lundberg and sons Levi Haman, Braden Eger of Stratford, Asher (Sabina) Eger of Martinez GA, Robyn(Jeremy) Barnes of Crystal Lake and sons Cayson Barnes of Woden IA, and Rylan Barnes of ISU, Taylor (Megan) Jensen of Stratford and children Adeline, Brynn, and Chet; Tanner (Morgan) Jensen of Stratford and sons Emmett, Wesley and Tucker; Isaac (Heather) Stewart of Harcourt and daughters Gabriel and Lillian; Katelyn (Adam) Mueller of Little Falls, MN, and children Aliza, Henry, and Harris; Myra (Justin) Timpe of Mason City and children Ryker, Wallace, and Camilla; Ileigh (Jeff) Headley of Paton and children Holden and Frances. Sister-in-law Janice Ford of Dayton Betty loved her family and her church family. She is at peace with her Lord.

A celebration of life service for Betty will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at McGuire Bend United Brethren Church in rural Dayton, Iowa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Stratford, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton, Iowa. 

For online obituaries and condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com